Synopsis
On April 13, Punjab's Leader of the Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, faced questioning from Punjab Police regarding his statement about 50 smuggled hand grenades. He did not disclose his sources and accused the AAP government of misusing power. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann challenged Bajwa to substantiate his claims, while Congress leaders condemned the intimidation tactics employed by the government.Key Takeaways
- LoP Partap Singh Bajwa was interrogated by the police.
- Bajwa claimed 50 hand grenades were smuggled into Punjab.
- He declined to reveal his sources during police questioning.
- Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticized Bajwa's statements and demanded proof.
- Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring condemned government tactics against Bajwa.
Chandigarh, April 13 (NationPress) The Punjab Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Partap Singh Bajwa, was interrogated by the Punjab Police on Sunday regarding his alleged statement that “50 hand grenades have been smuggled into the state, of which 18 have exploded.”
An official reported that the police's counter-intelligence team visited the LoP's residence to inquire about his assertions.
Following the questioning, the LoP chose not to reveal his sources and did not cooperate with the investigation.
Counter Intelligence official Ravjot Garewal informed the media that Partap Bajwa made a claim during a media interview, asserting that there are 50 hand grenades in Punjab, of which around 32 are still active.
“We noted the interview and questioned him about his sources,” said Ravjot Garewal.
She emphasized that their visit aimed to clarify the basis of the LoP’s assertion.
In response to the police inquiry, the LoP stated: “I stand by my statement and will not disclose my sources. The police officers approached me, and I fully cooperated.”
Challenging the AAP government to file a case against him, the LoP remarked, “You’re entirely welcome. The Chief Minister is a complete failure. It is profoundly unfortunate that the Chief Minister is not governing with the intention to serve the people of Punjab but rather pursuing personal vendettas. Today’s incidents serve as clear evidence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s abuse of power.”
“This morning, media personnel were notified by the government to come to my residence, and shortly thereafter, two senior police officials arrived to question me. They inquired whether I had made a statement to a news channel regarding 50 hand grenades allegedly smuggled from across the border into Punjab. I firmly confirmed that I had shared this information with a media channel,” the LoP stated.
“As someone who has personally endured the horrors of terrorism, having lost my father in a terrorist attack in 1987 and being targeted myself in 1990, I take national security very seriously. I belong to a family that has sacrificed greatly for peace, and I will not remain silent when I perceive a threat to Punjab’s safety,” he added.
The LoP mentioned that as the Leader of the Opposition, he occupies a constitutional position and is privy to sensitive information.
“I act responsibly and in the interest of public safety when I voice such concerns. Regrettably, instead of addressing the issue, the Chief Minister opted to threaten me with ‘strict action’ this very morning,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asserted that it is a well-known fact that the Bajwa family has maintained connections with Pakistani operatives for decades, which explains why he is receiving such irrational and unfounded information.
He stated that while intelligence agencies have not provided such inputs, Bajwa’s friend across the border must have informed him of their plans to disrupt peace and progress in the state.
Mann challenged the Congress leader to support his claim or face consequences for instigating panic among the populace, adding that he has audaciously made a false assertion that 50 bombs have been smuggled into Punjab, of which 18 have exploded and 32 more are still active.
He remarked that this is a serious issue, and such a reckless attitude from the Congress leader is unacceptable as it has caused alarm among the masses.
The Chief Minister urged Bajwa to disclose the source of his information, citing it as a moral obligation for a leader.
“Or, is Bajwa waiting for the bombs to detonate so he can exploit this situation for his political gain?” the Chief Minister questioned.
Mann described this kind of indifferent and irresponsible behavior as unwarranted and undesirable.
However, state Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring condemned the government's attempts to silence and intimidate Bajwa for raising security concerns in the state.
“Don’t shoot the messenger. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa is a responsible leader holding a constitutional position. If he has shared some information, you should utilize your police and intelligence to act upon it and follow it up,” he advised the Chief Minister.
He added, “Instead, you are attempting to intimidate him. The issue he (Bajwa) has highlighted is real.
He also noted that numerous grenade attacks have occurred, and the AAP government remains clueless.
“The height of it is that you are now initiating a witch-hunt, which is not only unacceptable but also highly condemnable,” Warring told the AAP government.
